AI Adoption Accelerates in Underwriting as Talent Shortage Looms
Event summary
- Pacific Life's 2026 Underwriting Outlook Survey polled 103 senior underwriting executives at its 4th Annual Underwriting Symposium in Laguna Beach, California.
- 45% of respondents reported AI is actively integrated into day-to-day workflows (20%) or regularly used as a decision-support tool (24%).
- 70% of respondents expressed concern about the long-term underwriting talent pipeline.
- 52% identified electronic health records (EHRs) as the data source likely to have the greatest impact on the industry over the next three to five years.
The big picture
Pacific Life's survey highlights a life insurance industry at a crossroads. AI is becoming a critical tool for efficiency and data utilization, but the talent gap threatens to undermine progress. The integration of structured health data, particularly EHRs, is poised to reshape underwriting processes, driven by younger customers' demand for faster, digital-first experiences.
What we're watching
- AI Integration
- How the pace of AI adoption will affect underwriting efficiency and risk selection.
- Talent Development
- Whether the industry can attract younger talent while retaining institutional knowledge.
- Data Utilization
- The impact of structured health data, particularly EHRs, on underwriting decisions and customer experiences.